AI Policy

The Southern Interscholastic Press Association seeks to reward and encourage genuine student work. We recognize that generative artificial intelligence is the latest tool to help communicators, following the many previous technological developments that were considered revolutionary in their times. We do not oppose the responsible use of generative AI in scholastic media. We ask that the use of generative AI be disclosed and that the tool is not used in a way that substitutes artificial intelligence for human expression.

Here are some examples that may guide staffs as they submit entries for evaluations and contests. These are illustrative but not exhaustive. When in doubt, err on the side of disclosing any use of generative AI.

Students might use generative AI to help develop a list of story ideas. They might use generative AI to analyze trends in their community: grades, test scores, enrollment, sports performance or financial support for schools, just to name a few examples. Students might use the AI tools embedded in video editing software to remove background noise that would otherwise interfere with the clarity of an interview subject’s voice. These types of uses would be acceptable and should be disclosed.

Work produced by generative AI should not be entered in a contest and represented as student work. For example, entering a photo essay or illustration produced with generative AI is prohibited. Entering a script or story written by generative AI is prohibited. AI is prohibited as a substitute for human work in any creative endeavor for our contests and competitions. 

Advisers submitting work for evaluation or contests are required to disclose uses of AI. At the time entries are submitted, advisers should send a letter detailing any use of AI to produce materials submitted to [email protected].